The national team coach, who ran 145km to the second-tier camp, responded, "Even if we advance to ML, we will play in next year's WBC."
The national team coach, who ran 145km to the second-tier camp, responded, "Even if we advance to ML, we will play in next year's WBC."
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To "Monetaka Murakami" (25) of the Yakult Swallows, the 2023 World Baseball Classic will be an unforgettable memory for him. He fell to the bottom of the competition and roared dramatically. He overcame severe pressure and proved himself to be the best hitter in the Japanese pro baseball league.
Murakami, who hit 56 home runs in 2022, started the WBC Japan national team as the fourth batter. He was a batter who received the most attention along with Shohei Ohtani. Team manager Hideki Kuriyama placed Ohtani (currently the Los Angeles Dodgers, then the Los Angeles Angels) at No. 4, and Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox) at No. 5. Kazuma Okamoto (Yomiuri Giants) was placed at No. 6.
The 23-year-old Murakami was extremely sluggish throughout the group stage. Ras Nootba, Kensuke Kondo and Ohtani made chances but were blocked at No. 4. Kuriyama, who had been waiting for long, had no choice but to adjust his batting order. He lowered Murakami and put Yoshida up at No. 4.
He put down No. 4 and got up. He hit two doubles in the quarterfinal against Italy. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a come-from-behind two-run second base in the bottom of the ninth inning and cried. He finally hit his first home run in the final against the U.S.A. When his team was losing 0-1, he hit the first homer. It was a home run that triggered his team's come-from-behind victory.
At the Miyazaki Saito 2nd-tier camp in Yakult on Monday, Japanese national team coach Hirokazu Ibata visited the training site for the second-tier team. The visit was aimed at checking out Murakami who is currently training here. Ibata has been visiting all of the team's camps that began early this month. The Japanese team is scheduled for an exhibition game with the Dutch team on May 5-6.
Faced with Ibata, Murakami expressed his intention to participate in the WBC, which will take place in March next year. This may have been the answer that Ibata has been waiting for. The Japanese media reportedly said
Manager Ibata said he ran 145 kilometers by car to meet Murakami.
However, Murakami is planning to play in the Major League after the end of this season. It is through the posting system. He agreed with his team three years ago when he signed a three-year contract. Unless there are special variables, his team will be decided by March next year when the WBC is held.
In order to adapt to unfamiliar leagues, players must quickly integrate into their teams. Personally, it is advantageous for players to learn the atmosphere from their teams' spring camps rather than participating in competitions. Most Japanese players were like that in their first year in the Major League.
Murakami was different. He clearly expressed his intention to participate in the 2026 WBC. "Thank you for coming all the way here. I will make an effort to improve my performance and make it to the national team," he said. Murakami said he would like to play in the warm-up match for the national team in November. He would like to taste the joy of winning the title once again.
Ibata said, "I have to consult with my team, but it's up to me to participate in the tournament. Murakami is grateful."
He follows Yoshida's path. As the fourth batter of the Orix Buffaloes, Yoshida moved to Boston in the winter of 2022. He joined the Japanese national team in early March after training at the Boston Spring Camp 바카라. This is an unusual case.
Of course, you need to get permission from the team to adjust the schedule of Major League camp. Consultation is needed at the negotiation stage for joining. The team is not welcoming the departure of a foreign player who is about to make his debut.
Murakami underwent surgery to remove bone fragments in his right elbow last fall. For this reason, Murakami is gradually recovering his physical condition in the second division.
On the surgery site, he said, "I'm fine. I'm fine." He swung 40 times at the indoor training center on the day. Unless something unexpected happens, he will move to the first team camp on Tuesday.